Alex Ferguson Wrong About Wiley And Referees

Sir Alex Ferguson's specific comments on Alan Wiley is seen by many as a general slur on the refereeing community. Referees up and down England, left and right across the world (including here in Hong Kong!) would like to see the English FA impose a significant punishment on Ferguson.

Ferguson questioned referee Alan Wiley's fitness and the evidence for Alan Wiley's performance does not support Ferguson's biased opinion (see graphic). The ProZone analysis of Alan Wiley's match performance reveal the referee covered more ground than all but seven players during the Manchester Utd v Sunderland match on 3 October 2009. Additional statistics show Wiley also sprinted when needed, was on average about 17 meters away from the ball, and was on average about 15 meters from fouls.

This evidence clearly shows that Alex Ferguson is wrong to criticize Alan Wiley's fitness, and his overall performance as a premiership referee.

Ferguson must explain his remarks to the English FA by 13 October 2009.


Plain ridiculous (Hong Kong Standard)

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has been asked by the English FA to explain his controversial comments about referee Alan Wiley while Blackburn's Sam Allardyce has escaped sanction over his remarks about Peter Walton.

Ferguson questioned Wiley's fitness after United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland, claiming the 49-year-old struggled to keep up with the pace of the match at Old Trafford.

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher felt the comments were unfair to all referees.

"I have never known a manager to say a referee wasn't fit enough. It's the most ridiculous comment I have ever heard," Gallagher said.

"The referees are fit for purpose. They are training four, five, six times a week ... to an intensity which 10 years ago I would never have believed."

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